SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Indiana State was not able to contain Missouri State's Gaige Prim as the forward scored a game high 32 points during the Bears' 79-70 victory Tuesday night at JQH Arena.
 
Indiana State (11-15, 4-10 MVC) held the Bears to 31.4 percent (11-of-35) in the first half of play while shooting 37.9 percent (11-of-29). Six Sycamores found the scoring column led by Cooper Neese's nine points to go with four rebounds. Cameron Henry dropped in seven points while Kailex Stephens and Simon Wilbar added five points each.
 
ISU scored the first seven points before the Bears were able to get into the scoring column. Terre Haute native Jaylen Minnett had a team high 14 points for Missouri State (20-8, 11-4 MVC) in the first half of play while Preseason MVC First Team selections Isiaih Mosley and Gaige Prim combined for 13 points. It was a back-and-forth first half with four ties and lead changes, but ISU scored the final six points to take a 33-31 lead into the locker room.
 
The Sycamores matched the Bears in the paint with a trio of Sycamores in Wilbar, Dearon Tucker and Nick Hittle to outscore MSU in the paint 12-8 in the first 20 minutes. ISU also matched its season high in the opening frame by blocking five Bear shots.
 
Neese pushed ISU's lead to 38-33 a minute into the second half with his first 3-pointer of the game before the Bears began to chip away and tie the game at 42. The Sycamores then reeled off an 9-2 run to lead 51-44 with 12:29 to play. Missouri State scored five-straight to pull back within a single possession.
 
Trailing 56-53, Missouri State went to its big in Prim to help mount their comeback. The Bears reeled off a 15-6 run to take a 68-61 lead. During the run, Prim scored 13 of the MSU points.
 
Neese scored a team high 23 points for the Sycamores while Stephens added 14 points and six rebounds.
 
Prim led the Bears with 32 points while Minnett scored 22 off the bench.
 
UP NEXT
The Sycamores return home this weekend for a matchup with Southern Illinois on Saturday, February 19. Tip with the Salukis is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET from Hulman Center. Fans wishing to purchase tickets can do so by clicking HERE, by calling 877-ISU-TIXS, or by visiting the Hulman Center Ticket Office.
 
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